Taiwanese whisky has been a 'thing' for a while now, since 2008 in fact, but the highly-regarded Kavalan whiskies are now finally available in Europe! This single malt whisky utilises Ruby Port, Tawny Port and Vintage Port casks from Portugal to finish whiskies that were initially matured in American oak. Kavalan Concertmaster was named Best in Class at the 2011 International Wine & Spirit Competition.
Red grapes and clove, followed by a good whack of vanilla. A little bit of tobacco leaf and cookie dough.
Brown sugar mixed with ground cinnamon and white pepper, doused in good Port. A core of white oak warmth.
Raisins, prunes, strawberry jam and another pinch of tobacco.
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A real surprise this one with an especially nice mouth feel for a 40% (so possibly not chill filtered?). Good flavour and finish. Most impressed. Came as part of a MoM advent calendar but I think I'll be getting a full bottle now.
Took it neat like I always do. Tastes like some weird harsh chemical. Tried mixing it hoping to cover the taste. Wasted the mixer. I'm too embarassed to even give it away or bring it out during gatherings. A resounding no.
I have been a Scottish scotch drinker for more than 40 years. I have tried everything from 10 yr to 40 yr and find the single malts in the 15-18 yr singles my favourites. With the sample brought by my family on their visit to a Taiwan, I received the Concertmaster and I must say I was quite pleased with all phases of this sample. Not matured as most of my tastings but very pleasant and certainly worthy of further sampling when KaVan Lan can be imported into Canada.
Bit of an odd one. I get the raisins, tabacco and vanilla on the nnose with a sweetness of jam. The taste is quite harsh from what I guess is young spirit, some flavours trying to come through but none stand out. The finsih is masked by spice and pepper sensation but does lead to raisins and tabacco. (For those that might not know the taste of tabacco take a filtered unlit cigarette and suck on it). Nothing special for that level of price and puts me off trying others in the range.
Complicated without being enjoyable. Fantastic nose, and then the palate is just confusing. You can taste a very immature whisky in there, way too diluted (40%, it needed to be cask strength to keep the flavours), and the port finish just barges its way in, as if it's not had time to meld together. A strange whisky I'd have been pleased to buy for £20-30.
